Break open lottery ticket

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a break-open lottery ticket and a method of producing same where the ticket is formed by laminating two substrate sheets. The lottery ticket includes variable imaged lottery indicia printed directly onto the inside surface of one sheet the ticket and covered by a layer of scratch-off material. The indicia and the scratch-off material are covered by a break open window on the other sheet allowing the scratch off material covering the lottery indicia to be exposed for playing the game. The game thus includes two steps of opening the window and removing the scratch-off thus enabling graphic images on the scratch off to be designed relative to the theme of the game to provide an enhanced playing pleasure. The indicia are printed onto a white lily pad in two or more colors allowing a high quality graphic image to be provided to attract the player. Validation numbers can be applied under one larger window.

The present invention relates generally to the field of lottery ticketsand particularly to tickets of the break open type which include one ormore widows on a first substrate sheet which can be opened to exposelottery game indicia printed on a second substrate sheet laminated tothe first.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lottery tickets are well known and widely sold and typically comprise asheet material of paper or card stock on which is printed lotteryinformation and various indicia for the playing of one or more games.Many such games are instant win type games where the player can play thegame or games by carrying out various functions, for example, openingpull tabs on a break-open ticket. Such tickets are also known variouslyas pull-tabs, pickle cards, jar tickets, hard cards and charitablegaming tickets.

Break-open tickets are typically constructed by printing a sheetcontaining multiple combinations of lottery indicia thereon. This sheetis then cut into sections. The opposite side of this sheet includesprize categories, serial number etc. A second sheet contains removabletabs or break-open windows is then mounted onto the card stock such thatthe break-open windows overlap the lottery indicia. However, break-opensprepared in this manner have the disadvantages that they are cumbersometo prepare, have a limited set of winning symbols and require manuallychecking at the time of redemption.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,857 (Koza) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,899 (Greenwood)each disclose a combined ticket construction in which a second layer isapplied or folded over the basic ticket to improve security. U.S. Pat.No. 5,562,284 discloses a break-open ticket with a second level ofbreak-open. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,258 (Sanderson) discloses a two sidedbreak-open ticket where the windows are arranged back to back openingonto a single center sheet carrying the game data.

As shown in published PCT International application No. WO 98/57715published 23^(rd) Dec. 1998 of the present applicants there is provideda pouched lottery ticket which is supplied in a fan folded continuousstrip arrangement for separating each ticket from the next at adispensing station. The disclosure of this publication may be referredto for further information.

Also in the prior art is a sample of a game ticket manufactured byScientific Games and known under the trademark “Zip-Tix”. This comprisesa ticket formed of a paper back sheet with a foil or metalized frontsheet. The front sheet has a single break-open window which can be tornopen to reveal a black printed image of game indicia printed onto a greysecurity coating. The printed image includes a validation number printedunder the break-open window so that it is revealed when the window isopened. The game indicia appear to be printed using an ink jet system.What appears to be a validation number is printed below the game data.

In Canadian Patents 2,282,777, 2,282,770 and 2,282,768 all assigned tothe present assignee and originally laid open for public inspection onDec. 5, 1999 are disclosed a number of different constructions oflottery ticket which utilize variable image printing techniques incombination with lamination of two substrate materials together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved lotteryticket construction which yet further enhances the pleasure of theplayer during the playing action leading to the possibility of increasedsales and increased profit margin on a premium product.

According to the invention there is provided a lottery ticketconstruction for playing by a player comprising:

-   -   a first substrate sheet material having a front surface and a        rear surface;    -   a second substrate sheet material having a front surface and a        rear surface;    -   promotional graphics printed on said front surface of at least        one of the first and second substrate sheets;    -   lottery game information printed on said front surface of at        least one of the first and second substrate sheets;    -   lottery game indicia printed by variable image printing onto        said rear surface of said first substrate sheet;    -   the lottery game indicia being covered by a layer of scratch-off        material removable by the player;    -   the rear surface of the first substrate sheet being connected to        the rear surface of the second substrate sheet to form a ticket;    -   and at least one openable window on the second substrate sheet        arranged such that opening of the window by the player acts to        expose the scratch-off material covering the second lottery game        indicia on the rear surface of the first strip.

The game thus includes two steps of opening the window and removing thescratch-off thus enabling graphic images on the scratch off to bedesigned relative to the theme of the game to provide an enhancedplaying pleasure.

The variable image printing process as defined above, contrary to theconventional printing press conventionally used for tickets having breakopen windows, uses a computer controlled system to control conventionalprinting elements such as ink jet, bubble jet or laser so that the imageapplied can be varied to any particular requirement allowing each ticketto be entirely different from others.

The above arrangement may allow the scratch-off material to include aprinted image as opposed to just a plain layer and this may includedifferent colors. Thus the printed image can be printed with a characterwhich is unconnected with the lottery game indicia so as to provide noindication as to the lottery game indicia covered thereby and can have acharacter designed relative to the theme of the game to provide anenhanced playing pleasure.

Preferably the window is larger in area than an area of the rear surfaceof the first substrate sheet covered by the scratch off material and thelottery game indicia so as to expose the whole of the scratch offmaterial when opened.

Preferably there is provided on the rear surface of the first substratesheet a plurality of separate lottery game indicia elements and whereinthe second substrate sheet has a plurality of windows each associatedwith a respective one of the plurality of elements such that opening ofeach window acts to expose individually a respective element.

The lottery game elements may be associated together in one or moregroups each defining a separate lottery game.

Preferably the lottery indicia on the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet includes a variable image number, which may be coveredby the scratch off material, for validating the lottery ticket which isexposed by opening one window which may be a larger window designed intothe theme and playing format of the game. The variable image number canbe in machine readable format or in human readable format or both.

Preferably the lottery game indicia are applied by variable imageprinting onto a white 111 y pad for security reasons as is well known inthe art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one example of lottery ticket according to thepresent invention showing the front surface of the second or coveringsheet.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lottery ticket of FIG. 1 with some of thebreak-open windows opened to expose the scratch off material and some ofthe scratch off material removed to expose the game indicia.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the lottery ticket of FIG. 1 showing the frontsurface of the first or rear sheet.

FIG. 4 is a partial transverse cross sectional view of the lotteryticket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the card assembly including a continuousconnected strip of the cards.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of a process for forming thecard assembly of FIG. 5.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 is shown a lottery ticket 30 having a front surface carryingprinted graphics 31 defining the playable game and including promotionalmaterial 32 and game information 33. The game itself in the exampleshown is the image of a house with a series of windows. Each of thegraphically printed windows is formed with a surrounding kiss cut line34 by which the player can crack open the window and peel up the windowbreaking the line at the bottom and sides so that the window is attachedonly at the top.

The example shown is merely one design of game and arrangement ofgraphics to provide a particular theme and it will be appreciated thatmany other themes can be generated by persons skilled in this art.

In the embodiment shown the windows are arranged in groups so that thereare groups of five windows 1 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 15, 16 to 20 and 21 to25. The windows are of different appearances for an attractive effect.One of the windows 25 is larger than the others and in the graphicarrangement selected forms the door of the house. However the, point ofnote is that the open of a window itself in the card is of a larger sizeallowing the presence of additional information to be printed underneaththe window.

Turning now to FIG. 2 it will be noted that windows 3, 9, 13, 16, 17,18, 20 and 25 have been opened to expose the rear face of the main orrear substrate behind. The opening of the above windows acts to exposethe material printed on the rear face and in windows 3, 9, 13, 16, 17,18 and 20 there is exposed firstly a layer of scratch off material onwhich is printed the graphic display of a suitable image. In theexample, the image is a present or parcel suitable for the theme of theChristmas house depicted on the ticket. Thus in an initial action theplayer opens the window selected and is faced by a printed image of anobject relevant to the theme concerned which wholly covers and hides thegame data or lottery game indicia printed underneath the scratch offmaterial. The presence of this graphic image on the scratch off materialprovides another layer of playing pleasure for the player relevant tothe theme concerned.

The windows 16 and 25 have also been scratched to remove the scratch offcoating and the image printed thereon revealing the lottery game indicia36 and 37 underneath. The lottery game indicia 37 in window 16 comprisesa suitable game element playable on a conventional lottery game in whichit is required to match certain game elements within groups to provide awinning ticket. It will be appreciated that the group containing windows16 through 20 would constitute one game in which it is necessary tomatch the lottery game indicia.

The game indicia 36 under window 25 provides a different type of game inwhich certain prizes can be won.

In addition under window 25 is provided a validation number or ticketnumber 38 which can be in human readable or machine readable or in both.The validation number is covered by the scratch off layer which isexposed. It will be further noted that the outside edge 39 of thescratch off layer forms an area within the window 25 so that the wholeof the scratch off area is slightly smaller than the window itself andthus is wholly exposed when the window is opened.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the rear of the ticket is shown as indicated at40 that is the front surface of the rear or main sheet and includes logo41, game information or game rules 42, a bar code 43 and othervalidation numbers 44 and 45.

In FIG. 4 the construction is shown in cross section including the upperor front substrate sheet 60 and the rear or main substrate sheet 61. Thewindow 1 is shown in cross section in the closed position showing thelines of weakness 63 by which the player may crack open the window inconventional manner. The two sheets 60 and 61 are laminated together byadhesive 64 applied in the areas between the windows so that the sheetsare attached together substantially across their full extent apart fromthe location at the windows.

Underneath each window on the rear surface of the sheet 61 is provided awhite 111 y pad 65 printed onto the rear surface on which is applied byvariable image printing the lottery game indicia 66. On top of that isapplied the scratch off material 67 of a conventional latex materialcovered by the graphics image 68 printed onto the latex material forscratch removal therewith.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 a method of preparing a card construction 100comprised of a plurality of cards 101 in a row. A plurality of rows ofperforations 132 are introduced into the card construction 100 atjunctions between the top edge of a representative one of the pluralityof cards 101 and the bottom edge of an adjacent one of the plurality ofcards 101. As a result of this arrangement, the plurality of cards 101can be separated into individual cards by tearing along the rows ofperforations 132. The plurality of cards 101 are folded along each ofthe plurality of rows of perforations 132 with the fold at the frontedge of each card being in a direction opposite to the fold at the rearedge of each card so that the cards lie each on top of and parallel tothe next, as shown in FIG. 5. The cards can be supplied for saleindividually or in the strip as shown. If sold individually, the cardscan be cut to be totally separated during manufacture or can beperforated for manual separation.

In FIG. 6 is shown schematically the process described above. Theprocess is shown in a number of discreet steps but it will beappreciated that the process can be integrated into a single continuousproduction line without the necessity for unrolling and re-rolling thestrip in the separate steps as shown.

Thus in a first step of the process, an initial strip of blank paperstock is unrolled from a supply roll 50 and is rewound onto a rewindroll 51. As the strip is forwarded, graphics and base printing isapplied onto the strip from a series of colour printing presses so as toprovide preferably a full colour printing of both sides of the strip.

In the second step, the re-rolled roll is used as a supply as indicatedat 51A and the strip passes through a coating station which may includea plurality of coating elements before being rewound at a rewind station52. The selection of coatings can be made depending upon the level ofsecurity required as well known in the art. Various arrangements ofsecurity coating are known in the industry and thus this aspect is wellknown to one skilled in the art and further detail will not be describedin detail herein. The coating elements selected may provide at least onelayer or 111 y pad over sections of the strip at which the lottery gamedata is to be applied. This may provide a security layer or coating forthe strip which enhances security to prevent chemical, light or otherattack onto the base paper stock to avoid improper examination of thecards revealing the lottery game data without the necessity forscratching the scratch off layers.

The resultant or final layer of the security coating is generally awhite 111 y pad so that the white layer does not interfere with ordetract from the brightness of subsequent application of colouredprinted materials or layers.

The re-rolled roll 52 is applied at a supply station 52A for a thirdstep in the process where the strip is unrolled and re-rolled at astation 53. In the third step, the lottery game data applied to thewhite 111 y pad over the security layers previously described. Thelottery game data is applied by variable image printing techniques suchas ink jet as opposed to use of fixed printing presses.

The application of a bar code (including machine and/or human readableportions) which is unique to the card and is applied directly with andat the same time as the lottery game data to allow identification andtracking of individual cards. The bar code may be located either under awindow or on the outside or exposed surface of the bottom or rear sheet.

Subsequent to the application of the lottery game data a coating deviceapplies the latex scratch-off coating in one or more layers includingthe printed graphics or image layer using conventional techniques andmaterials. The coated strip is then wound at a winding station 53.Although it is shown for convenience that the latex coating is in linewith the imaging, this is generally not so and the two steps are carriedout independently on different lines.

Strips thus formed with the graphics printing, security coatings,lottery game data and scratch-off layers are thus formed and availableat the station 53. Two of these strips each having the respectiveprinted elements described above, where one strip carries the lotterygame data and scratch off material, and printed with different data arethen used in a lamination process at laminating and calendar rolls 54.The laminated strips are then passed through a die cut roller system 55and a kiss cut roller system 56 to apply the lines of weakness for thewindows and perforations as previously described. The strip is thenfolded back and forth in a fan folding arrangement 57 to form a fanfolded stack 58 of the finished cards in the card assembly.

The lottery indicia are applied by variable image printing techniques asopposed to use of fixed printing presses. It will be appreciated that aprinting press can apply only predetermined arrangements of characterswhich are set up in the printing press and cannot be readily or quicklyvaried. The variable image printing process to the contrary uses acomputer controlled system to control conventional printing elementssuch as Ink Jet, bubble jet or laser so that the image applied can bevaried to any particular requirement allowing each ticket to be entirelydifferent from others. This technique can generate one color images, butmore preferably two colors such as red and black or more color images

The use of variable image printing techniques allows also the followingadvantages:

It avoids the use of a limited number of combinations of symbols in thegame data which is otherwise available by conventional printing press.

The prize parameters, that is the arrangement and numbers of winningtickets relative to losing tickets, can be tailored to suit particularcircumstances, customers or games and is not limited to the fixedarrangements available with the conventional printing press.

As the strip is continuous and is not cut from a press printed sheet,there are no markings or patterning of the substrate caused bymechanically cutting substrate pieces from a larger printed sheet, thusavoiding the possibility that the markings or patterning could be usedto locate and identify winning tickets.

The application of a bar code (including machine and/or human readableportions) which is unique to the ticket and is applied directly with andat the same time as the game indicia to allow identification andvalidation of individual tickets.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, it will be recognized and understood that various modificationsmay be made therein, and the appended claims are intended to cover allsuch modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A lottery ticket construction for playing by a player comprising: afirst substrate sheet material having a front surface and a rearsurface; a second substrate sheet material having a front surface and arear surface; the rear surface of the first substrate sheet beingconnected to the rear surface of the second substrate sheet to form aticket; promotional graphics printed on said front surface of at leastone of the first and second substrate sheets; lottery game informationprinted on said front surface of at least one of the first and secondsubstrate sheets; the promotional graphics and the lottery gameinformation being arranged to define a game theme; a plurality ofopenable windows on the second substrate sheet arranged such thatopening of each window by the player acts to expose a respective area onthe rear surface of the first substrate sheet: each respective area ofthe rear surface of the first substrate sheet having lottery gameindicia printed thereon; the lottery game indicia being printed byvariable image printing onto said rear surface of said first substratesheet; the lottery game indicia on each of said respective areas beingcovered by a layer of scratch-off material removable by the player;wherein the scratch-off material of at least some of said respectiveareas includes a printed image thereon related to the game theme definedby the promotional graphics and the lottery game information. 2.(cancelled).
 3. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 1wherein the printed image includes different colors.
 4. The lotteryticket construction according to claim 2 wherein the printed image has acharacter which is unconnected with the lottery game indicia so as toprovide no indication as to the lottery game indicia covered thereby. 5.The lottery ticket construction according to claim 1, wherein the windowis larger in area than an area of the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet covered by the scratch off material and the lottery gameindicia so as to expose the whole of the scratch off material whenopened.
 6. (Cancelled)
 7. (Cancelled)
 8. (Cancelled)
 9. (Cancelled) 10.The lottery ticket construction according to claim 1 wherein the lotteryindicia on the rear surface of the first substrate sheet includes avariable image number for validating the lottery ticket which is exposedby opening the respective window.
 11. The lottery ticket constructionaccording to claim 10 wherein the respective window is larger than theother windows.
 12. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 10wherein the variable image number is covered by the scratch offmaterial.
 13. (Cancelled)
 14. (Cancelled)
 15. A lottery ticketconstruction for playing by a player comprising: a first continuoussubstrate sheet material in a first strip having a front surface and arear surface; a second continuous substrate sheet material in a secondstrip having a front surface and a rear surface; the rear surface of thefirst strip being connected to the rear surface of the second strip toform a row of connected tickets; the first and second strips having aline of weakness between each ticket and the next for separation of eachticket from the next; each ticket having promotional graphics printed onsaid front surface of at least one of the first and second strips; eachticket having lottery game information printed on said front surface ofat least one of the first and second strips; each ticket having lotterygame indicia printed by variable image printing onto said rear surfaceof said first strip; each ticket having the lottery game indicia beingcovered by a layer of scratch-off material removable by the player; andeach ticket having at least one openable window on the second striparranged such that opening of the window by the player acts to exposethe scratch-off material covering the second lottery game indicia on therear surface of the first strip.
 16. The lottery ticket constructionaccording to claim 15 wherein the lottery tickets are fan folded alongeach junction with the fold at the front edge of each lottery ticketconstruction being in a direction opposite to the fold at the rear edgeof each lottery ticket construction so that the tickets lie each on topof and parallel to the next.
 17. The lottery ticket constructionaccording to claim 15 wherein the scratch-off material includes aprinted image.
 18. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 17wherein the printed image includes different colors.
 19. The lotteryticket construction according to claim 17 wherein the printed image hasa character which is unconnected with the lottery game indicia so as toprovide no indication as to the lottery game indicia covered thereby.20. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 15 wherein thewindow is larger in area than an area of the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet covered by the scratch off material and the lottery gameindicia so as to expose the whole of the scratch off material whenopened.
 21. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 15wherein there is provided on the rear surface of the first substratesheet a plurality of separate lottery game indicia elements and whereinthe second substrate sheet has a plurality of windows each associatedwith a respective one of the plurality of elements such that opening ofeach window acts to expose individually a respective element.
 22. Thelottery ticket construction according to claim 21 wherein the lotterygame elements are associated together in at least one group defining alottery game.
 23. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 21wherein the lottery game elements are associated together in a pluralityof groups with each group defining a separate lottery game.
 24. Thelottery ticket construction according to claim 15 wherein the lotteryindicia on the rear surface of the first substrate sheet includes avariable image number for validating the lottery ticket which is exposedby opening said at least one window.
 25. The lottery ticket constructionaccording to claim 24 wherein one element of the lottery indicia on therear surface of the first substrate sheet includes a variable imagenumber for validating the lottery ticket which is exposed by opening therespective window.
 26. The lottery ticket construction according toclaim 25 wherein the respective window is larger than the other windows.27. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 25 wherein thevariable image number is covered by the scratch off material.
 28. Thelottery ticket construction according to claim 15 wherein the lotterygame indicia are applied by variable image printing onto a white 111 ypad.
 29. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 15 whereinthe lottery game indicia are applied by variable image printing usingtwo or more colors.
 30. A lottery ticket construction for playing by aplayer comprising: a first continuous substrate sheet material in afirst strip having a front surface and a rear surface; a secondcontinuous substrate sheet material in a second strip having a frontsurface and a rear surface; the rear surface of the first strip beingconnected to the rear surface of the second strip to form a row ofconnected tickets; the first and second strips having a line of weaknessbetween each ticket and the next for separation of each ticket from thenext; each ticket having promotional graphics printed on said frontsurface of at least one of the first and second substrate sheets; eachticket having lottery game information printed on said front surface ofat least one of the first and second substrate sheets; the promotionalgraphics and the lottery game information being arranged to define agame theme; each ticket having a plurality of openable windows on thesecond substrate sheet arranged such that opening of each window by theplayer acts to expose a respective area on the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet; each respective area of the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet of each ticket having lottery game indicia printedthereon; the lottery game indicia being printed by variable imageprinting onto said rear surface of said first substrate sheet; thelottery game indicia on each of said respective areas of each ticketbeing covered by a layer of scratch-off material removable by theplayer; wherein the scratch-off material of at least some of saidrespective areas of each ticket includes a printed image thereon relatedto the game theme defined by the promotional graphics and the lotterygame information.
 31. The lottery ticket construction according to claim30 wherein the printed image includes different colors.
 32. The lotteryticket construction according to claim 30 wherein the printed image hasa character which is unconnected with the lottery game indicia so as toprovide no indication as to the lottery game indicia covered thereby.33. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 30 wherein thewindow is larger in area than an area of the rear surface of the firstsubstrate sheet covered by the scratch off material and the lottery gameindicia so as to expose the whole of the scratch off material whenopened.
 34. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 30wherein the lottery indicia on the rear surface of the first substratesheet includes a variable image number for validating the lottery ticketwhich is exposed by opening one respective window of said plurality ofwindows.
 35. The lottery ticket construction according to claim 30wherein the respective window is larger than the other windows.
 36. Thelottery ticket construction according to claim 30 wherein the variableimage number is covered by the scratch off material.